Energy efficiency by far the number 1 low carbon answer
Such were findings of the Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) of Australia
Energy Efficiency: Twice the Impact of Renewables, Nuclear and Clean Coal. Combined. : TreeHugger, by Warren McLaren, Bundanoon, Australia 07. 6.10” The International Energy Agency estimates that energy efficiency will deliver 65 per cent of worldwide carbon cuts in the energy sector by 2020, and 54 per cent by 2030. This means that in 2020 energy efficiency could have almost twice the impact of renewable energy, nuclear power and clean coal combined.” Continue reading
Urgent need for 100% renewables to replace Hazelwood
Replace Hazelwood with 100% renewable energy Otway Ranges Climate Action (ORCA), 6/7/2010, The undersigned groups and individual climate campaigners support an inclusivecampaign to urgently Replace Hazelwood with 100% renewable energy, including baseload solar thermal energy (as presented in the Beyond Zero Emissions, Zero Carbon Australia 2020 report).
The undersigned:* strongly support the Replace Hazelwood campaign;
* support using renewable energy sources and increased efficiency to replace 100% of energy currently supplied by Hazelwood;
* particularly support the use of proven baseload Solar Thermal technology; and
* reject the use of fossil gas as an alternative fossil fuel…………
» Replace Hazelwood with 100% renewable energy Otway Ranges Climate Action (ORCA)
How UK and European households gain from Renewable Energy Tariff
(UK) Making the most of the Renewable Energy Tariff’s – Better Generation, 5 July 2010,“…… the average household could stand to gain in excess of £2000 through the latest renewable energy tariff schemes.
Feed-in tariff (FiT) and the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) are designed to provide a guaranteed annual return, free from income tax, of 8% on investment. The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is actually due to go live in April 2011 but any system installed between now and then will be eligible. Continue reading
Uranium Awareness from Experts, with Aboriginal Interpreters
Uranium awareness tour hits the road 5 July 2010, The Kimberley Uranium Awareness Community Forums kick off this week with meetings in Kununurra, Halls Creek, Billiluna, Fitzroy Crossing, Looma, Mowanjum, Derby and Broome.
The forums aim to inform Kimberley people about the risks of uranium mining and how this activity has affected Indigenous in other parts of Australia. Forum organisers have invited technical experts and Traditional Owners from the Northern Territory and South Australia to speak at the meetings. Continue reading
Australia waits for government action on Climate Change
Ms Gillard may set a national target for energy efficiency, as China has done.
Climate hurdle looms for Gillard, Tradingroom.com.au, By Cathy Alexander July 02 2010, “…… the Gillard government is working overtime on one of the greatest electoral challenges of its time: climate change.A new climate policy will be released in the coming weeks and it could be very new indeed………… Continue reading
Solar energy going ahead in Colorado
New funding for green energy announced, July 4, Denver Examiner, Leslee Schmitt In his weekly radio and online address yesterday, President Obama announced almost $2bn in guaranteed loans to two solar companies………..Colorado Senator Michael Bennet commented on the loan guarantees in Boulder yesterday. “I think we have the potential to beat all 50 states in terms of creating an energy-independent future for our kids, creating a cleaner climate and driving our economy as well. Washington may not be ready or willing to compete with China, but Colorado is.” New funding for green energy announced
BHP, Climate Doubters, involved now in Australia’s CSIRO
A poor climate for debate at CSIRO, The Age, Paddy Manning, July 3, 2010 QUESTIONS are being raised about the closeness of BHP Billiton and the CSIRO under chief executive Megan Clark. A former technology vice president at BHP, Clark was appointed in late 2008 ……. there is concern about the imbalance in research funding at CSIRO, particularly in responses to climate change. Continue reading
Nuclear Lobby’s anti wind power line – Australian Landscape Guardians
The template for the Australian chapter of the landscape guardians is the British Coastal Guardians, an anti-wind power organisation run by climate change sceptics with strong links to the nuclear energy industry.
You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows, The Age, ADAM MORTON, July 3, 2010 “…….Wind farm opponents also paid for advertisements in the weekly Pyrenees Advocate warning of ”Waubra disease”, an illness said to include symptoms of sleep disturbance, nausea, headaches and increased heart rate that could be ”coming to a house, farm or school near you”.
No evidence was given to back the claims, but the advertisements heightened concerns in the local community Continue reading
Visual guide to Zero Carbon Australia
The Oil Drum: Australia/New Zealand | Zero Carbon Australia by Phil Hart on July 2, 2010 The Oil Drum: “…..key graphics and information from the synopsis report by Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE). Note also the launch of the full report in Melbourne on 14th July.
Energy efficiency, gas and renewables, could replace coal power
The grimy valley struggles on, Reportage Enviro, 2 July 2010 Jenny Jägerhorn “………………….The brown-coal-fired generation plants in the valley account for 85 per cent of Victoria’s greenhouse contributions. Hazelwood power station produces up to 16 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, which is almost 15 percent of Victoria’s annual greenhouse gas emissions, and 3 percent of Australia’s total carbon emissions. Continue reading
BP oil spill endangers coastal nuclear power plants
A May 12 situation report from the Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability acknowledged the potential for problems.
“If water supply for these facilities becomes contaminated with oil, cooling water systems could be damaged,” it said.
(USA) Gulf Coast nuclear plants at risk from BP oil spill, FACING SOUTH, 1 July 2010, Watchdog groups are warning about the BP oil spill’s potential damage to Gulf and Atlantic coast nuclear power plants that use seawater to cool pumps and other safety equipment. Continue reading
Greens offer Gillard to vote in a carbon tax
Greens make Gillard a climate offer,Tradingroom.com.au, By Cathy Alexander June 29 2010, Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Julia Gillard to reveal what she will do on climate change, with the Australian Greens making her an offer. Continue reading
Renewable energy- UK feed-in tariff a boost to rural incomes
Rural estates and farms could use the new renewable energy feed-in tariff scheme to increase their annual income by tens of thousands of pounds each year
UK – Renewable energy feed-in tariffs set to transform rural estate incomes, according to Knight Fr Meat Trade news Daily, 30 June 2010, Key points: Continue reading
Young voters will judge Gillard on Climate Change action
The new Prime Minister has an opportunity to win voters with a fresh approach to climate change. Last year, 97.5 per cent of the 37,000 young people who voted in Youth Decide, a national youth referendum organised by the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, supported stronger cuts in emissions than what was then offered by the ALP…
…At the next election, for the first time, more than one in five voters will be of Generation Y. Young people’s future, and Julia Gillard’s future, will depend on her ability to implement effective climate change solutions.
Gen Y to Julia: Take a bold stance for our climate, Sydney Morning Herald, from Australian Youth Climate Coalition, JOEL DIGNAM, June 28, 2010, Julia Gillard can be more than Australia’s first female Prime Minister: she can be our first prime minister to take the necessary steps to tackle carbon pollution.
Now Julia Gillard is in a perfect space to take prompt action to position the ALP as the only major party with a serious climate policy. Continue reading
Australia must act on Climate Change, but Nuclear is Not the Answer
Australian climate could be a “harbinger of change” to the rest of the world. What scientists say we have ahead of us if global warming is not prevented, such as Severe droughts and Fires, are already rife in Australia as climate change warms their already hot environment……
……All eyes will be on Australia in the coming years. It may well show a bleak future for the rest of us, unless we act now to prevent further global warming. Global Warming In Australia: A Climate Changing | Global Changes
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
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